Meeting Cancelled

The Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting scheduled for Monday, July 23 has been cancelled.

City of Spokane Meetings/Projects for this Week

• A public open house will discuss a project to rehabilitate 44th Avenue from Regal to Ray streets. The open house will be held on Wednesday, July 18, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at ESD 101, 4204 S. Regal St.

• A project to pave Dalke Avenue from Myrtle to Freya streets begins Monday, July 16. The project will pave Dalke Ave. from Myrtle to Freya streets; and Myrtle St. from Dalke to Francis avenues and install curbs and sidewalks. All streets will be closed to traffic. Local access will be maintained.
• The project to rehabilitate Lidgerwood St. from North to Francis avenues and surrounding residential streets will restart on Monday, July 16. Addison St. from Rowan to Columbia avenues will then be closed to motorists. Motorists will be detoured to Lidgerwood or Division streets. Lidgerwood St. from North to Francis avenues is paved and open. The project will rehabilitate Lidgerwood St. from Joseph to Francis avenues; Addison St. from Rowan to Columbia avenues; Columbia Ave. from Lidgerwood St. to the cul-de-sac; Standard St. from North to Columbia avenues; and Joseph and Nebraska avenues from Lidgerwood to Cincinnati streets.

Leave Your Dog Home This Time of Year

Come on folks, you know better than this! I know dogs love to go in the car with you but last Thursday alone, Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS) issued three citations for charges ranging from Unsafe Confinement to Animal Cruelty in the Second Degree for keeping dogs in hot cars. And one of the charges stemmed from a woman leaving her puppy in the car while she was in a bar!


Animal Protection Officers spent that day responding to reports of animals left in cars. In each case, the animals were seized and rushed to local veterinarians who confirmed the animals were suffering from heat stress.

The temperature inside a car can quickly climb to over 100-degrees. Even leaving a dog in the bed of a pickup can result in severe burns because the metal and the liner get so hot.

Animal Cruelty 2nd Degree (RCW 16.52.207) is a gross misdemeanor that is punishable by up to 365 days in jail and/or a $5,000 fine. Unsafe Confinement (RCW 16.52.080) is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

If you see an animal left in a vehicle, call SCRAPS at (509) 477-2532.

Behind The Scenes at Transportation Management Centers

Have I mentioned recently that the Spokane Regional Transportation Management Center turns ten this year? Yep, ten years of helping to combat traffic congestion. If you're not sure exactly what that entails, the video below will fill you in. 

I thought of it because of this article on the U.S. Department of Transportation website I stumbled on called "Behind the Scenes at TMCs." That's pretty much what the TMC in our office does.

What Does It All Mean?

Umm.. I get overwhelmed just looking at this mess. This is in Port Washington, WI where some people are up in arms, because, in addition to all these signs directing drivers how to get through a roundabout there and onto a highway, overhead signage is about to be installed. Some officials there are worried about the information overload additional signs, deemed necessary by the state Department of Transportation, could cause. The Ozaukee Press has the story.

Seattle Ranked Fourth Worst Traffic Congestion In U.S.

Here's one list you don't want to be at the top of; a new report out this week says Seattle is the fourth-most traffic congested city in North America. How did it rank higher than cities like San Francisco and Washington, D.C.? The Seattle Times tells why the city's traffic is considered so bad.

Lights Out To Save Money

Well, things have officially gotten so bad that the New Hampshire Department of Transportation is turning off the light at the end of the tunnel to save money. Actually it's not the light at the end of the tunnel, but at least half of the nearly 3,000 streetlights it operates on state highways.


Shutting off lights will save between $400,000 and $600,000 a year but some say the cost in accidents may not be worth it. The Concord Monitor has the story.

Plan For Delays/Detours At Kettle Falls Bridge

This is outside of Spokane County, but has the potential to have a big impact on your summer outings so I thought it was worth reporting so you can adjust your route accordingly: work begings Monday, July 23 to repair the US 395/State Route 20 Columbia River Bridge near Kettle Falls.

The bridge deck hasn't been resurfaced since it was built in 1940. Recent emergency bridge closures and temporary repairs underscored the need to permanently repair this critical transportation link. The work involves removing 1.5 inches of the existing concrete surface, repairing the underlying concrete, then repaving the bridge with concrete.

You can expect up to 20 full overnight closures of the bridge, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., as crews pour the new concrete deck. During the full closures, drivers will be directed to a 68-mile detour via State Route 25 to Northport, then back to US 395 via the Northport/Flat Creek Road.
During the day, a temporary signal will allow vehicles to cross one direction at a time, but you can still expect up to 10-minute delays.

Next Phase Of Sprague Ave. Project Starts This Week

The next phase of the project to reconstruct Sprague Avenue is scheduled to get under way on Thursday, July 12. Crews will move the work to the south side of Sprague Avenue that day, between the 14900 block and Evergreen Road.


Originally scheduled as the last phase of the project, construction on the south side of this section of the roadway was rescheduled to accommodate the relocation and upgrade of a buried natural gas line.

During this third of four phases of construction:
• The south side of Sprague Avenue will be closed. Access to businesses will remain available.
• Traffic will be reduced to one lane each direction with a center turn lane.

• The south side of the Sprague/Adams intersection will be closed; use Progress or Evergreen to 4th Avenue for local access.

• The intersection of Sprague/Best will be closed; use Progress or Evergreen to 4th for local access.

• Evergreen Road will remain open.
Construction of the fourth and final phase of construction, which will be along the north side of Sprague Avenue between the 14900 block and Evergreen Road, is anticipated to start sometime in mid August and wrap up in late August.

Project Added To TIP- Public Input Sought

We're proposing another amendment to the 2012-2015 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and are looking for your input on it. The TIP is a programming document that identifies specific projects proposed to be undertaken during the upcoming four years. The proposed amendment is to include this new project:
Prairie View Elementary School Sidewalk Project- This project will construct a sidewalk along Johannsen Road beginning at the school and continuing to Northview Lane. A crossing will be installed at Northview Lane to the south side of Johannsen Road and a separated sidewalk will be constructed on the south side from Johannsen to an existing sidewalk west of Oak Street. A short potion of sidewalk on Orchard Prairie Road will be constructed to connect to the existing sidewalk to the north.

Full details of the amendment can be viewed at http://www.srtc.org/ or a hard copy can be received by calling (509) 343-6370. The current TIP can be viewed here.

A public comment period on the proposed amendment starts July 10, 2012. All comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. on July 23, 2012 by emailing to contact.srtc@srtc.org, mailing to SRTC at 221 W. First Ave., Suite 310, Spokane, WA, or by calling (509) 343-6370.

Spokane Valley Road Obstruction

Sprague Avenue at Carnahan Road will be reduced to one lane each direction from 7 am Wednesday, July 11 through 6:30pm Friday, July 20th for utility work. 

Obstruction Or Exercising Your First Amendment Right?

A Texas woman has been arrested and jailed for 12 hours- for alerting drivers to the presence of a speed trap!
The Examiner.com has the story.

Early Aviation Beacon Removed From Local Hill

A historic tower that helped to guide pilots before radar was available has been removed but not forgotten, the Washington Transportation Commission is asking for your input on public transportation and the replacement Keller Ferry has officially been named. Here's what's happening this week in transportation from the Spokesman-Review's Getting There column.

Board Meeting Agenda Available

The agenda and packet for next Thursday, July 12th's, Policy Board meeting is available now. The time and address are also at the link. Feel free to attend if you have any transportation interestes, thoughts or concerns. Everyone is welcome.

Summer Ozone Season Is Here

With temperatures expected to hit almost 100 degrees this weekend, the Spokane Clean Air Agency wants to warn you that 'summer ozone season' as arrived and encourage you to reduce emissions. To do this, they ask you to cut back on gas-powered activities, such as car trips and yard work that involves gas mowers or trimmers.
The hot days contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, a harmful air pollutant and a key ingredient in smog. Ozone is formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in the presence of sunlight. Pollutants from our daily activities "cook" in the sunshine and hot temperatures, forming ozone.
Ways to reduce emissions include:

• Reduce car trips by combining errands.
• Walk, bike, carpool or ride the bus to work.
• Purchase products and paints with a zero or low VOC content.
• Refuel your car in the evening when possible.
• Avoid overfilling your vehicle's gas tank or "topping off" your tank. Stopping at the first "click" reduces spills and the amount of gas vapors that escape into the air.
• Avoid using small gasoline-powered engines, such as lawn mowers and tractors, chain saws, power washers, air compressors, weed whackers, leaf blowers, etc.
• Keep tires inflated properly. When your tires are inflated correctly, your car drives more efficiently which improves your gas mileage and reduces the pollution entering the air.
• Store gasoline and other solvents in tightly closed containers in dark, cool places.
• Avoid using lighter fluid to start your charcoal barbecue. Lighter fluid has high VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) content.

Here's more information on ozone and the damage it can cause, and a place where you can sign up to get alerts when air quality is poor.

Urinal Cakes Ask Bar Patrons Not To Drive Drunk

Michigan officials are trying a new tack to cut down on drunken driving. They're distributing Interactive Urinal Communicators to bars and restaurants. If you're not familiar with a Interactive Urinal Communicators you may recognize them by a more common name; talking urinal cakes.
Yes, talking urinal cakes. And here's what they say: "Listen up. That's right, I'm talking to you. Had a few drinks? Maybe a few too many? Then do yourself and everyone else a favor: Call a sober friend or a cab. Oh, and don't forget to wash your hands."

At least they add the wash your hands reminder, but at that point it would be too late for me. I'd either be running out of there because the thing scared the heck out of me or doubled over laughing.
Here's more on this non-traditional (to say the least) campaign.

Spokane City Construction Projects Starting Next Week

A project to realign sewer mains to improve flow will begin on Monday, July 9. Litchfield Pl. from Daisy Pl. to A St.; A St. from Queen to Central avenues; Crown Ave. from Milton to A streets; and Rowan Ave. from Loma Dr. to Audubon St. will be closed to traffic. Drivers will be detoured to Queen, Everett, and Rowan avenues, Alberta, Belt, and Audubon streets, or Loma Dr. This $324,000 project is being funded by the Wastewater Department.

A project to rehabilitate Jefferson St. from Wellesley to Rowan avenues and surrounding residential streets is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, July 11. The project will rehabilitate Jefferson St. from Wellesley to Rowan avenues and surrounding streets including Adams St. from Wellesley to Rowan avenues; and Madison St. from Wellesley to Rowan avenues; and Wabash Ave. from Maple to Madison streets will be rehabilitated. Also the stormwater system will be upgraded to improve performance and maintenance, and ADA curb ramps will be installed at intersections where needed. All streets will be closed to traffic. The $908,000 project is being funded by the 10-Year Street Bond and Wastewater Department.

SRTC Is 20 Meters From The Guy With The Sign Asking For Money

Wow, I thought I was the only one who gives crazy directions but it turns out folks in Costa Rica have been copying my system all these years of directing people to locations using not addresses, but directions such as "a miles from the gas station" or "across from the school." Apparently the country doesn't name streets and homes don't have addresses. It's been estimated this is costing the country hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue though. For instance, a quarter of sent mail is returned as undeliverable. So why's it taking so long to fix such an inconvenient system? The Wall Street Journal talks about the pros and cons of this system.

'Cliff Notes' Guide To New Federal Transportation Bill

A lot of people have been asking how the new federal transportation bill, MAP 21, compares to the old one, SAFETEA-LU. Having had a few days off and then the holiday, I haven't had time to go through it myself. Thanks to one of the members of our Transportation Advisory Committee though for sending this analysis of MAP 21, by America Bikes. It compares areas of the two bills, such as Programs, Funding & State Opt Out, Eligible Uses, Program Mechanics, etc. side by side, then offers and analysis for each topic. There is also a section where 'Frequently Asked Questions' are answered. All in all, it appears to be a pretty good 'Cliffs Notes' because I'm guessing there's not much chance you'll read the entire MAP 21 bill.

Bike To Work Barb To Lead Bicycle Alliance Of Washington

Congratulations to Bike to Work Barb! After tirelessly advocating for bicycling on our side of the state, she has been hired to lead the Bicycle Alliance of Washington in Seattle! Barb has been on our Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) since its inception and has volunteered her time on many other committees and events, particularly the annual Bike to Work Week. She is a daily bike commuter and launched the blog, Bike Style Spokane, as a way to encourage more women to try biking.




Barb says this is a dream come true for her. We will miss her on the TAC but will still be able to work with her on non-motorized projects.
She takes over as Executive Director of the Alliance in August. Here's the press release if you want to know more.